12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 12

[87Heel]

I hope he is ok. and it sounds very lucky that he didn't hit his head.
Keep him in a chair until the cruise - no more accidents.

This is one of worst nightmares - I always think I will fall when hubby is away or one of the kids will. We have wooden stairs and everyone runs around in slippery socks.

elaine

good suggestion!
We also have wooden stairs and almost all hardwood floors. I have gone down the stairs out of control before and had some ugly bruises (but at least that's all!)

 

[elaineteresa]

Spice blends, dip mixes, cake/bread mixes, sauces, salsas.
http://www.tastefullysimple.com
Of course, it is another catalog party, but the nice thing is that you sample about two-thirds of the stuff during the party so you get a good idea if it is something you would like.

thanks Marielle!!

how are your cruise plans going? packing etc?

 

[elaineteresa]

I'm feeling a little behind the curve. Tgiving, holiday stuff is all getting in the way.

I did boy shopping yesterday - Giona is so easy because he has liked the same things for the past 2 years - Legos, Transformers, Magnetics. I try to find at least one new kewl thing too.

Any other boy suggestions?

 

[87Heel]

what do you do with the non-sleepover child when there is a sleepover?

I am hoping I can avoid this whole thing. Are sleepovers in the mother's manual?

I'm ready to go for 1 or 2 - but 6 boys? ugh. Maybe the girls can go to a hotel and dad can take over?

I've never done a big sleepover! Just one guest overnight.

 

[87Heel]

thanks Marielle!!

how are your cruise plans going? packing etc?

Haven't done any packing (there's some stuff thrown in one part of my bedroom...). Put together most of my surprises for the DIS gang yesterday. Have absolutely no idea what the kids are getting for Christmas. We keep it pretty small; 3 gifts each (plus little stuff in stockings).

 

[87Heel]

We have a long drive for Thanksgiving to see DH's side of the family. We'll also do Christmas gifts with them then (people in Kansas, NC, Maryland, PA and Tennessee, so it's not like you can just pop in and see everyone!)

 

[87Heel]

Only one item that I ordered for gifts a week ago has actually arrived, so I hope I have the gifts before we hit the road next week!

 

[elaineteresa]

Vanessa - keep me posted on your USVI plans. We had a great time there - the kids really loved it. Loved the house, loved the beaches and the snorkelling. Loved the sunshine and just running around outdoors. They got the biggest kick out of the lemon trees on property and we made lemonade several times and they thought that was just so fun.

But you live like that all year round!!! LOL.

I am sure there are some things about island life that could get tiring. But people seemed to go back and forth a lot to St. Thomas, St.Croix or the mainland.

We got stuck in a traffic jam at a pre-school xmas party. Somehow the mentality was that no one would move. Various people got out of the cars to try and negotiate a truce but people would just not move their cars. Other people were trying to get us to try and squeeze thru a space that the jeep would definitely not fit thru. It was a very interesting look into island politics. LOL.

 

[elaineteresa]

Haven't done any packing (there's some stuff thrown in one part of my bedroom...). Put together most of my surprises for the DIS gang yesterday. Have absolutely no idea what the kids are getting for Christmas. We keep it pretty small; 3 gifts each (plus little stuff in stockings).

I would like to do this - unfortunately we started big and its hard to scale back - the kids are still 5. My family was always over the top on Christmas. I try and buy the stuff and divide it in half and give half for their bday in Jan.

 

[elaineteresa]

Haven't done any packing (there's some stuff thrown in one part of my bedroom...). Put together most of my surprises for the DIS gang yesterday. Have absolutely no idea what the kids are getting for Christmas. We keep it pretty small; 3 gifts each (plus little stuff in stockings).

I'm looking forward to meeting your girls. Your pics are always so wonderful and they look so happy.

 

[87Heel]

I would like to do this - unfortunately we started big and its hard to scale back - the kids are still 5. My family was always over the top on Christmas. I try and buy the stuff and divide it in half and give half for their bday in Jan.

It was easier to scale back since we are away from home with one side of the family or the other almost every Christmas... not enough room in the car for too much stuff! We'll be home this year for the first time in years since the gathering with my side of the family is the cruise!

 

[elaineteresa]

We have a long drive for Thanksgiving to see DH's side of the family. We'll also do Christmas gifts with them then (people in Kansas, NC, Maryland, PA and Tennessee, so it's not like you can just pop in and see everyone!)

it would make me crazy if I had a large family to buy for. That is why we overdo bcause there are only a few of us. I buy things for friends too I guess because we have a small family.

 

[elaineteresa]

It was easier to scale back since we are away from home with one side of the family or the other almost every Christmas... not enough room in the car for too much stuff! We'll be home this year for the first time in years since the gathering with my side of the family is the cruise!

who else is going with you? parents or siblings?

 

[87Heel]

Despite my attempts to keep it small, there's still a ton of STUFF around the house. And because the kids are 13, 8, and 3, I never could clear out the outgrown stuff... there's always someone else who will use it in a few years! Finally have started to clear a few things out of the way... at least the baby stuff is gone now (well except for a few things; have to follow the MrsMork rule!)

 

[elaineteresa]

It's nice to have the holidays at home isn't it? I like it. The kids like it too.

 

[elaineteresa]

Despite my attempts to keep it small, there's still a ton of STUFF around the house. And because the kids are 13, 8, and 3, I never could clear out the outgrown stuff... there's always someone else who will use it in a few years! Finally have started to clear a few things out of the way... at least the baby stuff is gone now (well except for a few things; have to follow the MrsMork rule!)

yes we have been doing the big toy sweep for about 3 weeks now. It is hard to give it away. No one wants all that stuff. The dump doesn't take that hard plastic stuff for recycling either.

I'm glad we are out of the phase where there will be lots of little pieces. Just legos and hot wheels now. Beads, jewelry for Jaea - but I have been buying containers for everything.

 

[87Heel]

who else is going with you? parents or siblings?

My parents are giving the cruise to all of us as a gift (a very nice gift). So the group is my parents, my sister and her DH, my brother and his DW and 2 kids (ages 7 and 9), and the 5 of us. And we've agreed that the cruise is our Christmas together... no extra gifts other than stuff you might do for each other during the cruise (pick up a drink for someone, etc). My sibs and I are giving my parents a gift of taking care of their tips, and the wine, and a few other things along the way).

 

[elaineteresa]

are you leaving on wed. to drive?

I hope you get all your packages. makes me think I should ship to the port early.

 

[87Heel]

 

[elaineteresa]